A TEAM of 'Bradvocates' will be recruited to act as the welcoming face of the city centre – greeting visitors, liaising with businesses and patrolling the area to keep it clean and safe.

The team of three will be brand ambassadors for central Bradford, helping to ensure the best experience for visitors, be they tourists, day-trippers, shoppers or people who live and work in the core central area.

The idea is the brainchild of Bradford’s Business Improvement District (BID), which is now on the hunt for people who are proud of the city and want everyone to know about it.

Ian Ward, chairman of the BID and general manager of The Broadway shopping centre, said: “We chose the job title Bradvocates partly because we wanted to be different to other towns and cities but mainly to insure that we attracted the right kind of people to the post.

“If you look in any dictionary, it will tell you that an ‘advocate’ is someone who speaks up in favour of, supports and publicly recommends a person, place or point of view.

“Well, our point of view is that Bradford is an awesome city with a huge amount to offer and a fantastic future ahead and our Bradvocates will be part of making sure that everyone who comes here gets the message.”

The Bradvocates will be expected to "patrol the Bradford Business Improvement District area providing a strong and informed visitor welcome and provide a regular pattern of interaction with city centre businesses; to ensure all environmental issues are reported through the correct channels including cleanliness, damage and disrepair, graffiti, flyposting, begging and other such low level anti-social behaviours.

BID manager Jonny Noble said: “The kind of people we’re seeking will need to be very passionate about improving Bradford city centre, be willing to help others and have an eye for detail.

“They have to be capable of walking the city centre on a daily basis – in all weathers! – be friendly, outgoing and keen to offer support where it's needed.

“We also need them to be keen to see improvements, to help us to drive change and to monitor progress, to be forward thinking, have a positive attitude, and willing to go 'the extra mile' when it counts”

He said a key part of the role was to enjoy greeting visitors and talking to members of the public.

“Above all, our Bradvocates will be there to represent the city, to help promote it and its attractions and to provide useful information to those who need it,” said Mr Noble. “They have to be proud to wear a uniform."

The posts are being advertised for the first time this week and the BID hopes to have them up and running by early April.